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Obituaries

John Ernest Kesler

Obituary Date: Friday, April 4, 2014

Mr. John Ernest Kesler, age 73, of Jefferson, entered into rest Friday, April 4, 2014.

Mr. Kesler was born in Jefferson, Georgia on March 16, 1941. He was the son of the late G.T. and Oris Massey Kesler. Mr. Kesler attended North Georgia College and graduated from the Athens Business College. Mr. Kesler worked, along with his father and brother, in the family grocery business at Kesler's Supermarket for many years. He later retired from the I.W. Davis Probation Detention Center with 18 years of service.

Mr. Kesler was a natural athlete, participated in many sports in high school, and was most proud of wearing number 29 for the Jefferson Dragons football team. He remained an avid sports fan throughout his life. In 1998 he was recognized at half-time for his loyal support of the Jefferson Dragons, where he pulled the chains at home football games for 36 years. He was also an avid fisherman, and especially enjoyed the family tradition of trips to St. Mark's, Florida, started by his father, and continuing in recent years with his brothers, Theron and George.

Mr. Kesler was a longtime member of Bethany United Methodist Church. He loved his extended family and many lifelong friends. He especially enjoyed church music, and often joined with, and supported, his wife and daughters in their musical endeavors. Because of his birthday on 3-16, he had a special fondness for John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his nephew, Joseph Hensley.

Survivors include his wife, Lynda Massey Kesler of Jefferson, daughters, Mendy Kesler Alford and her husband John of Houston, Texas, and Becky Kesler Jordan and her husband Todd of Gainesville, Georgia. Brothers and sisters in law, Theron and Janice Kesler of Jefferson, and George and Ladson Kesler of Hoschton. Five grandchildren, Claire Kesler Alford, Marjorie Ann Alford, Emma Louise Alford, Jaron Jordan and Ben Jordan.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, April 10, 2014 at 2:00 pm at the Bethany United Methodist Church with Rev. Mike McLemore and Rev. Charles Crabbe officiating. The body will lie in state at Bethany on Thursday from 1:30 - 2:00pm, prior to the service. The burial will follow in the Bethany United Methodist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be his nephews Louis Dennis, Jason Hensley, Carter Cain, Cody Cain, Walt Massey, Franklin Kesler, Joe Elrod and Andy Brooksher. The visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 9, 2014, from 2- 4 pm and 5 -7 pm, at Evans Funeral Home.

Flowers are optional, and memorials may be made to the Bethany U.M.C. Perpetual Care Cemetery Fund, 4659 Brockton Rd, Jefferson, GA 30549.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.evansfuneralhomeinc.com
Funeral Date
04/10/2014 at 12:00AM
Funeral Home
Evans Funeral Home